In 1990, Cosgrove and Wendy Edelson were awarded the Silver Jubilee Honor by the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA) for 'Ira Woodworthy'. In 1978 Cosgrove sold Serendipity Press to Penguin/Putnam and began focusing on multimedia literature for children. Three months later, Cosgrove established his own publishing company, Serendipity Press, where he was the author, publisher, shipping clerk, and janitor. The next year, a large New York publishing company offered Stephen a contract, but he refused and continued on in his search for a publisher. His goal in writing these books was to create interesting, fun, affordable books that contained a moral in each story. In 1973, Cosgrove teamed with illustrator Robin James, and wrote his first four books which began the Serendipity Series: 'Serendipity', 'Wheedle on the Needle', 'The Dream Tree', and 'The Muffin Muncher'. In 1963, he received a scholarship for and attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. Growing up, Cosgrove was greatly influenced by Aesop’s Fables. He attended Borah High School in Boise, Idaho. The series was adapted into a 26-episode anime, Serendipity the Pink Dragon.Ĭosgrove was born in Metaline Falls, Washington and raised in Kennewick, Washington, then Burley and Boise, Idaho. He is known for Serendipity, a series of children's books. Cosgrove (born July 26, 1945) is a children's author and toy designer. 'About this title' may belong to another edition of this title.Stephen E. Barbara McGinn, Oak Hill Elementary School Media Center, Severna Park, Md.Ĭopyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Coupled with the blatantly moralistic tone of the books, this series is one that can be overlooked. Cosgrove's acrylic illustrations are unevensome of the animals (e.g., the bunnies) are drawn with charming appeal while many of the scenic pictures are flat and uninspiring. Even another llama, Pish, cannot convince him otherwise. In Pish-Posh, Posh is a llama who considers himself better than all other animals. Although this one isn't offensive, it has a weak plot and the theme is presented much better elsewhere. The moral here (being handicapped is only a state of mind) is arguable, and many fine books are available that treat handicapping conditions realistically and with sensitivity. Fanny is the worst of the lota three-legged cat is ostracized by the other animals because of her handicap but eventually finds a friend. At this point, as in all of the ``Serendipity Books,'' a moral is printed in capital letters (in case readers missed it). She is reassured by her father on a daytime walk through the forest, but the whole point is lost when a real baby dragon is shown near the end of the story.

Buttermilk is a sweet (all of these characters are sweet) bunny who has a typical fear of night creatures.

Kindergarten-Grade 2 As didactic and insipid as most of the previous titles in this series.

Mumkin stephen cosgrove